Photo: Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to escalate attacks against Ukraine, saying Moscow's response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory will be "symmetrical" but "several times more powerful."
Speaking at the "Everything for Victory" forum organized by the People's Front, Putin claimed that Ukraine would increasingly "feel" the consequences of Russia's response.
"The enemy will feel it on an ever-growing scale," he said.
Kremlin acknowledges fuel supply problems
Putin also admitted that Ukrainian attacks have created difficulties with Russia's fuel supply, although he insisted the situation is gradually improving.
He added that Russia is developing a new fuel supply system for occupied Crimea, claiming it would be "very difficult" for Ukraine to disrupt.
Earlier, the Ukrainian resistance movement ATESH reported that Russian forces in southern Ukraine had introduced strict fuel rationing for mobile air defense units and mobile fire groups because of fuel shortages.
Russia's gasoline production is currently estimated to cover only about 65% of seasonal demand after repeated Ukrainian drone strikes forced several major oil refineries to halt operations.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has also acknowledged that drone attacks on refineries are a key factor behind the country's growing fuel shortages.
